FOR ONGOING & ADJUNCT CLIENTs
Intensive EMDR Therapy in Redondo Beach
At Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates, Intensive EMDR therapy is offered in a 2-hour format, providing more space for reprocessing and deeper healing, with sessions available in Redondo Beach or online throughout the South Bay as part of ongoing therapy or as a stand-alone adjunct option.
BASED IN REDONDO BEACH, CA
2-Hour Extended EMDR Therapy Sessions
At Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates, we provide Intensive EMDR sessions for clients across the South Bay, including Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, and nearby areas. These extended 2-hour sessions offer more time and focus than the standard therapy hour, making space for deeper reprocessing and progress. Intensive EMDR is available for both ongoing clients and those seeking EMDR as an adjunct option.
Intensive EMDR can be a helpful choice for:
Having more time in a single session to focus on what feels most important
Exploring EMDR as a new therapeutic approach
Creating flexibility to design a schedule that supports your healing
More Time, More Focus, More Support
Intensive EMDR creates a unique opportunity for clients to engage in reprocessing without the time constraints of the standard therapy hour. With more time available, sessions can go deeper into unresolved memories, beliefs, and body sensations while still leaving space to ground and close safely. This extended format helps reduce the feeling of being “cut off” mid-process and allows for a fuller therapeutic arc each session.
For many, this structure fosters momentum and consistency, helping to address patterns that may have felt resistant in shorter sessions. The added time can also make it easier to integrate somatic awareness, mindfulness techniques, or resourcing interventions to support nervous system regulation throughout the session. Intensive EMDR can be especially beneficial for clients with complex trauma, long-standing triggers, or those wanting to focus on a specific issue intensively.
Flexibility is at the core of Intensive EMDR. Schedule as needed to create your ideal treatment schedule. Whether it’s used as a focused addition to ongoing therapy or a standalone option, Intensive EMDR offers a powerful way to create meaningful breakthroughs and sustain lasting healing.
HEALING TAKES TIME
With extended sessions, there’s space to go deeper, process more fully, and move forward with greater ease.
common concerns
Intensive EMDR Therapy Can Help With
Disturbing images or memories
Distressing sensations or emotions
Specific situations that feel triggering
Lingering negative beliefs about yourself or the world
Anxiety and fear tied to past, present, or anticipated future experiences
Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
Nightmares or sleep disturbances
Shame, guilt, or self-blame connected to past events
Avoidance of places, people, or activities
Loss, grief, or unresolved sadness
Performance anxiety or fear of failure
Phobias and specific fears
Feeling “stuck” in old patterns or cycles
Emotional numbness or disconnection
Panic attacks or sudden waves of fear
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8 Phases
EMDR therapy follows eight structured phases that provide a clear roadmap for healing. At the same time, the process isn’t always linear—you may move back and forth between phases depending on your readiness and what comes up in session.
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BLS Options
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) to help the brain process experiences more effectively. BLS can be done in different ways—such as eye movements, tapping, or sound—and your therapist will work with you to find the option that feels most comfortable and supportive.
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Schedule As Needed
Intensive EMDR sessions can be integrated into ongoing therapy or added as adjunct work. They can be scheduled weekly, biweekly, or as often as feels right, giving you the flexibility to move at your own pace. The exact number of EMDR sessions needed for complete relief varies.
Catherine alvarado, lmft & associates
Experienced EMDR Therapists in the South Bay Area
At Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates, our therapists provide Intensive EMDR therapy in extended two-hour sessions, creating more room to process difficult experiences and support lasting healing. These sessions offer the chance to slow down, go deeper, and give each client the focused attention they need.
Our team draws on trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches, blending EMDR with mindfulness, somatic awareness, and cognitive strategies. This integrative style helps clients release stuck patterns, reframe painful memories, and strengthen their capacity for resilience.
Intensive EMDR is available both in our Redondo Beach office and online across California, making it easy to access care in a way that fits each person’s needs. Whether added to ongoing therapy or chosen as a stand-alone option, Intensive EMDR provides a meaningful path forward for those ready to do deeper work.
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Catherine Alvarado, LMFT 134744
OWNER & CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Catherine Alvarado, LMFT, is a licensed Redondo Beach therapist, EMDR Certified Therapist & Consultant in Training specializing in anxiety, trauma, and EMDR therapy for adults, teens, and children. Learn More
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Emily Feldt Shabel, AMFT 151325
SUPERVISED BY CATHERINE ALVARADO, LMFT 134744
Emily is a registered associate therapist in Redondo Beach, specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy for relationships, self-esteem, and creative professionals. Learn More
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Monika Arana, AMFT 140548
SUPERVISED BY CATHERINE ALVARADO, LMFT 134744
Monika is a registered associate therapist in Redondo Beach, specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy for trauma, inner child work, and nervous system regulation. Learn More
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